I gape at her. I knew it. I knew she’d react like this, but it still stings like hell.
“I’m not! I’m an atmosphere model, and it’s completely innocent. It’s a job, and it’s fun.”
“Well, it’s made us all look like fools, did you think of that?”
“No, I didn’t. It’s not like I thought I’d ever be the subject of a scandal…” My throat closes up again and I tighten the grip on my phone in my hand. I glance at it. Nothing from Mark yet.
Mum clutches her (fake) pearls. “Is that what happened with Mark? Is that how you got that job?”
“What the hell, Mum?” I howl.
“Jesus Christ, Mum, you can’t say that to your own daughter,” Xander says from behind me.
“I can’t believe you think I would do something like that.”
She shakes her head, sinking down onto the couch. “I don’t know what to think, Rosemary.” She throws up a hand. “It’s not like you have a history of great decision-making behind you.”
I’m shaking with anger. She doesn’t know how I make my decisions, she never bothered to try to understand me.
“Mark and I met outside of work. Ilovehim.”
“What?” She grimaces and shakes her head.
“I’ll tell you everything if you want to listen.”
She scoffs. “Tell me what? Of course you’re in love with him. Who wouldn’t be? But surely you’re not implying he feels the same way aboutyou?”
“Why? Because I’m not a fancy, important, rich person?”
Her eyes widen, but she nods.
“Oh my God, are you serious, Mum?”
“Well, more than that. You are a bit … silly. Frivolous? God knows I tried with you.”
There’s that head shake again, and it’s like she’s stabbed me. It’s what I feared she thought of me, but there are the words. Straight from the horse’s mouth.
“It’s ludicrous that you entertain the idea of the two of you at all. It proves my point about you. You just don’t understand the real world, Rosemary.” She pins me with the mum-glare. “You’d be a burden to a businessman like Mark.”
I bury my face in my hands and sink down to my knees.
What’s the point of fighting the world if even my own mum can’t see pastmy flaws.
“Mum, you’re going too far,” Xander says, stepping forward. “Rey is fantastic. She’s funny, intelligent, and creative, and I can see every reason Mark would fall for her.”
I drop my hands and turn to him. “Do you mean that?” I croak.
He sinks to his knees next to me. “I don’t see what the fuck you see in that wanker, but hey, I knowyou. And you are great.”
“You don’t think less of me because of my choices?”
He shakes his head. “I mean, I could go do withseeing lessof my sister,” he says, a smile crinkling the sides of his eyes and I snort-laugh through my tears. “You’ve always loved dressing up, Rey. I’m not surprised you’d choose a job like that.”
I search his face and the soft eyes are back. It loosens the lump in my throat. “Why did you look so angry earlier?”
“I’m angry with Mark. With the press. Not with you,” he says and wraps his arms around me. I sigh, a shaky, long breath, and feel brave enough to say what I need to say to my mother.
Her eyes have watered over, and I’m sure it’s just because her son is being so kind and nothing to do with me.
